The Specials

Amber

  
      Light shined In through the giant hourglass-like window, making it seem like the world was a peaceful place. There was a single bird plucking away at the stones laid upon the ash-fault ground. My eyes never left the scene, and after what felt like hours, a bell sounded and people came rushing through the wide open doors. Somehow I managed to ignore the bustle and stood still glaring out the window.
     It didn't take long for one of the Directors to notice and pull me aside. After scolding me for not being in my right classroom, they gave me a hard smack on the hand with a ruler and I made my way out of the room, a door slammed in my face. I stood outside the classroom wishing my solitude had never been disturbed. Eventually I tore my eyes away from the door and made my way down the hall, my hands tucked into my pockets.
      I hummed slightly, kicking any pebbles laying along the concrete. Most Directors were in their classrooms, so I figured I had a few minutes before I got in any big trouble. I ducked into a janitor closet and pulled my hoodie over my head. Sleep seemed appropriate, so I dozed off.
   When I woke up Jacksons face was only inches away from mine, a dumb grin plastered on his face. The sight made me jump, causing all the brooms to fall on my head. He erupted in laughter and slouched against the wall across from me.

   " Jesus Jackson, You scared the shit out of me!" I said giving him a hard smack over the head.

He laughed some more and then pulled out some gum and stuffed it in his mouth.

" I'm not sorry. What are you doing sleeping in a closet?"

" What are you doing with gum, you know that stuff is banned." I said shrugging off my hood.

" I asked first." He snarked.

  Jackson had been my friend since we were in Placement 1. We lived next door to each other and I always went over an asked him to walk to our school. I remember the kindness his parents showed me, the kindness he showed me. He knew my home life was unhealthy and always made me feel at home. But his parents were in the slums, rather poor. They had trouble paying the tax for him and his sister. One day they just didn't have enough to pay off, so when told their children would have to be killed due to lack of payment, they begged the Commander inspecting the scene to take their lives instead of the kids. I've been by his side ever since,living in my basement. Sometimes he manages to piss me off, but he's like a brother.

  " I didn't feel like going to PE today." I said giving him a snark.

   " They could arrest you for that ya know."

  " They could do the same for chewing gum" I grabbed the package he had been rolling between his fingers and tossed it behind a trash bin. He gave me an unimpressed glare then continued with his grin seconds later.
   He stood and put out a hand to me.

" Come on, there's a presentation in 10 minutes." I groaned and excepted his help to pull me to my feet.

   We walked down the crowded halls my eyes scattering everywhere looking for any directors. I could still smell the gum off of Jacksons breath and it raised hairs on the back of my neck. He could get arrested. I glanced over at two kids staring at us. They must've been at least in  Placement 8. The girl had a grin on her face as the boy next to her whispered something in her ear. I gave them a cold look and turned my attention to Jackson. He didn't seem to notice the giggling kids. Instead, his attention was drawn to the gym doors where two cops stood, guns placed on the ready. One of them had some sort of scanner and the other was stamping something on the top of each persons hand. I shoved Jackson a bit to get his attention.